Power-chain.



G. W. LEVALLET.

POWER CHAIN` APPLOATION FILED NOV.19, 1908.

971,454. Pafffmed spt. 27, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W12/VES e. W. LEVALLBY.

POWER CHAIN.

v"ATION FILED Nov.19, 1908.

Patented Sept 27, 1910.

APPT.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NVETR @we kfw Arens narrar CHRISTOPHER W. LEVALLEY, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

POWER-CHAIN.

Win54.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Application led November 19, 1908. Serial No. 463,435.

To all whom 'it may concern:A

Be it known that l, CHRISTOPHER YW. LE- vALLEY, a citizen of the United StatesVresiding at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Visconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Power-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

The' advantages incident to the use of steel in the manufacture of powerchains have long been recognized; but the expense and ditliculties of .manufacturing all-steel chains, which, as heretofore made, necessitated a large amount of machine work, have l have, in the accompanying drawings, illustrated my invention as being embodied in a ower chain adapted to serve-as a drivin wlieels, and have chosen for the purpose of illustration to represent a chain each link of which is adapted to be enga ed by the teeth of the sprocket wheels. T e parts of the chain, esjgwcial''v those subject to tensile strains, are .-referably of a homogeneous nature being formed o?. sofi. steel, which, after being shaped, is casefhardened for the' purpose of increasing the wearing qualities of the chain and its strength.

In the accom anying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a short section of chain embodyin my invention. Fig. 2 is an edge View o the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the chain taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4l is atrans- Verse sectional view through one ofthe side bars, taken on the line lIV-IV of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through one of the joints of the chain taken on the line V--V of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detached 'view of'one of the. members of va side bar.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view ofthe otherA member of a side bar. Fig. 8 is a perspec.-

elt or connection between sprocket.

tive view of the member illustrated in Fig. 7 but viewed from the opposite side. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the blank from which the part shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is'made. Fig. l0 is an edge view of a single side bar of a link' illustrating a feature not shown in the other views. Fig. 1l is a plan view of a blank from which is constructed a link somewhat different from that shown in the other views.

In Figs. l and 2 I have represented the present invention as embodied in` a chain of well-known forni, in its general features;

that is, each link has side bars, 2, 2, and a tubular end .bar between the side bars, and such links are united by pintles, 3. In the chain illustrated the side bars are duplicates of each other in their general features of construction, and the overlapping portions at the opposite ends of each bar set respectively outward and inward relative to a line passing longitudinally through the side bars of the chain and vided with interlocking projections at the chain joints adapted to relieve'ithe pintles in a large measure from the strain upon4 the chain. As stated, each link is provided at one end with a tubular cross bar through `which passes the connecting pintle and on this cross or end bar may be' supported a wearing sleeve, roller, or wheel, 4.

Each side bar 1s .of oomposlte construction, being formed of two pieces of soft steel suitably shaped and united to 'form the bar.

arallel with the vlengt-h v thereof. The side ars of the links are pro- The two parts or members constituting one l side bar of a link are designated l5, 6, and those constituting the other bar, 5', 6,'the bars on opposite sides of the links shown being of slightly different construction, though in some `forms of chains they will be identical. While the two members of the side bars may be alike in thickness, and for the lighter forms of., cliain this is not undesirable, I'usually lprefer -to lform the outer members, 5, of thinner -material than the inner ones, 6. The latter rare of simpler construction and are principallydepended upon for giving strength to the chain. On

the other hand, the outer members are formed with orcarry the means for locking the pintles and the nuts thereon, and are provided with the interlocking means sltuated at the joints of the chain; and, not being of so simple construction as the other 4hold it against the part 5,

l are preferably formed of thinner more easily `workable and esired shape. The two a are similar in general connected face to face by Isuitable securing means. ,Y V1.... enter member may be turned over to `rfnflangeg 8, arranged to j; edges of the other part; and these over ,ping flanged edges may be to a greater or less extent prolonged to form lips, 29, as represented in Fig. 7, that may .be folded over the inner face of the part, 6, to

n the lips, 29, supplementing the rivets, 7, or being depended upon in lieu thereof to hold the parts together.

The thicker side bar piece, 6, is perforated near its ends for the passage of the pintle, the perforations bein designated, 10, 11, vthe former, 10, bein'g t e larger. The other part, 5, is also perforated for the passage of the pintle, a perforation, 1:2, being concentric with that at 10 in the other partbut of 'considerable smaller size, While` an aperture, 13, at the other end of the piece preferably corresponds in size With the aperture, 11, in

aperture,

piece, 6. Inapertures, 10, 12, are formed in the outlying overlapping parts of the side bar, and those designated 11 and 13 in the inlying parts.

' A hub or annular ange, 14, surrounds the 12, and extends inward from the face of the part, 5, and is arranged to set Within the aperture, 10, leavinga seat, 16, surrounding such hub. i 15 is alhub or annular flange surrounding the aperture, 13, land extending outward from the faceof the piece, 5. This hub or flange is adapted to rest in the recess or seat, 16, in the side oar of another link, when the 'links are coupled to form-.a chain.

17 indicates the tubular end bar of a link uniting the 1opposite side bars, though formed separate therefrom. It is a piece of steel tubing, though a piece of sheet steel rolled into tubular form might be used. Its opposite ends rest in the apertures, 11, 13,

and prefer that it should be so mounted as not to be free to rotate relative to the side bars of the link. This result may be variously effected. The method 1 have chosen is to notch the ends of the tubular cross bar, 1.7, and to provide the side bars with lugs or projections, 18, adapted to engage .with the notches, 19, vthus locking these parts together, and causing the' former to serve as a spacing device for holding the bars a proper distance apart.

The connecting` pintle is preferably in the `form of a headed bolt 20 screw-threaded to receive a nut, :21. It passes through the 'perforated overlapping 'side bars and the hollow end bar, which latter it should fit quite closely. In order to hold the pintle the form of links shown the arnese the head of the plntle and hold from rotation. instead of the pintle-holding projection, Q12, struck up from the body of the piece, 5, in position to engage with and hold the pintle head. The outer member of the opposite side bar is provided with means for locking the nut, 21. Such nut lock or holder is designated 24 and preferably constitutes an integral part of the kside bar member, 1n the latter is formed an l.shaped slit andthe triangular piece between the legs of the cut is forced out to constitute the lock, 24. The inner, thicker member, 6, may be formed with an aperture, 25, lying opposite the nut lock or holder, 24, and arranged toI projection, 23, may be permit a punch or other tool to be employed to force the nut lock out-Ward into holding position, should it from any cause vbecome forced down flat or into such position as not to properly engage with and hold the nut, 21.

Special links, that is, links With attachments or constructed to receiveattachments for special uses, can easily be provided by specially shaping certain parts of such special links. In Figs. 1 and 2 the thicker parts or members, 6, 6', of the side bars of two links are represented as being formed with Wings, 26, adapted to have attached to them cross slats such as are commonly employed in conveyers.

rlhe Wearing rollers, 4, Which may be of any desired size, are supported upon the sleeves or tubular end bars, 147, and are preferably free to turn thereon. They are provided with oil holes for lubricating thel joints of the chain when desired. 'These rollers may serve as spacers for the side bars.

In 10 f1 havev represented a special form of nut lock especially adapted to chains in'ivhich the pintles are riveted, and where a screw-threaded removable bolt is employed as a pintle only at those points along the chain where it is desired tcprovide for separating it. lt consists of a small bar or piece of metal, QT, secured to the side bar by one of the rivets, T, that unites the two members which compose the side bar. The end of the nut lock, 27, is adapted to bear against one face or edge of the nut, 21, and hold it from turning. Whenever it becomes necessary to turn the nut upon the bolt the nut-locking bar, Q7, is lifted into the position indicated in dotted lines, by means of a chisel or other suitable tool, where it remains until' it becomes necessary einem to again lock the nut, when it is forced down by a hammer. The bar 27 is formed of such material as will permit it to be thus bent many times without injury to its efficiency. An attachment like that at27 may ybe employed to engage with the head of the .bolt and hold it against turning.

lt has' alread been stated that for the lighter forms o chains the composite side `bars may be constructed of parts of similar thickness. 1When this is the case it is con venient to have the two parts or members integral, shaping them from ablank like that indicated in Fig. 1l. Here-the portion of the blank designated 5 constitutes the outer member of the side bar and the part 6"?, the inner member. These two parts are united by a web, 28, and' in tliein are respectively foi-ined the pintle openings, which are designated by reference numerals corresponding'with those employed in'illustrating the other formsof the invention. Along vone free edge of the blank are formed a series of tongues,y 29', adapted to be bent over the other edge when the two parts are folded together face to face. j I have not attempted to illustrate or describe all the forms or modifications of my invention as those skilled in the art will readily understand how it :may be modified to suit the requirements of manufacture met with in making chains of variousisizes and forms. l

After the parts from which the links are feri'i'ied have been shaped,` forl which purpese simple punching or ,cutting dies only are required, they are case-hardened in any suitable manner. This case-hardening may take place before the shaped parts are assembled., or after-.the chain has been formed, as may be found most expedient. The casehardening process adds materially to the strength and durability of the chain without increasing the cost of manufacture very much; but to be satisfactory, the several parts of the chain should be of a homogeneousnature. This l 'secure by forming the parts, as stated, from soft steel which ca n readily be obtained of uniform grade, and is easily worked.

1. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are of composite construction being formed `of sheet metal pieces united together, and .the side bars of the links having at the joints interlocking projections concentric with the axes of articulation.

2. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of metal united, the

vpieces being of different thicknesses and formed with projections adapted to interlock with the side bars of other links at the joints of the chain when the links areunited.

3. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of shaped metal united to each other, the said pieces being of different thicknesses and the thinnerI pieces being' formed with hubs surrounding the pintle openings therein and arranged to constitute interlocking connections between united links:

4. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of shaped sheet meta-l united together, the two said pieces being of diiierent thicknesses and cach link having a tubular end bar uniting the side bars and seated in the thicker pieces of the side bars.

5. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of sheet metal cut to shape and united, and the end bars of which are separate from the side bars but seated in one pair of opposite pieces, the other pair of opposite pieces being formed with projections adapted to constitute interlocking connections at the joints of the chain.

6. A powei` chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of sheet metal cut to shape and united, the said pieces being of different thicknesses, and cach link having a tubular end bar for uniting the side bars, it being seated in the thicker pieces of the side bars, and the thinner pieces thereof being formed with projections adapted to constitute interlocking connections at the joints'of the chain.

7. A power chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are each formed of two pieces of sheet metal cut to shape and united, the said pieces being of different thicknesses, and each link having a tubular end bar seated in the thicker pieces of the side bars, these thicker pieces near their ends opposite the end bar having formed in them relatively large perforations, and the thinner pieces of the side bars being formed with hubs surrounding the openings through which the pintles pass, the hub at one end of a piece being turned outward and that at the other end inward, and the outturned hub being arranged to enter the said large perforation in the thicker piece of the side bar, and the inturned hub being arranged to interlock with an outturned hub of another link with which it is connected by a pint-le.

8. A ower chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of whicl. are of composite nature, being each formed of two pieces of metal cut to shape and united, one

'of the outer 'pieces of each link carrying -means for holding the'pintle against turning.

9. A ower chain formed of pintle-connected links, the side bars of which are of composite nature, being each formed of two l 113.15, war

Chaim j' in me Side or ma l. A pow@ piece im prev@ fiar ed 1 ufl having a ub. bays and. saai' 

